Cruisin' 1956

by Cruisin 1956 / Various

Overview

An instantly recognizable bargain bin staple since the late '70s, thanks to their colorful comic book covers tracing the romantic life of an Everycouple named Peg and Eddie, the Cruisin' series of discs are built on a brilliant concept: each disc is devoted to a single year, with hit songs, local commercials, station jingles, and news headlines all presided over by a noted DJ from the era for a near-perfect re-creation of that year's AM radio experience. Cruisin' 1956 is hosted by Robin Seymour of WKMH in Dearborn, MI, whose cheerful, hail-fellow-well-met announcing style is representative of his era. (His custom show-opening theme, performed by Toronto vocal quartet the Four Lads, is a nice touch.) Although there are a few rockers, most notably classics by Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Carl Perkins (not to mention Roy Orbison's Norman Petty-produced debut, "Ooby Dooby"), most of Cruisin' 1956 focuses on classic R&B and doo wop ballads. The Teen Queens' "Eddie My Love," the Mello Kings' "Tonite Tonite," the Dells' "Oh What a Night," and career-defining hits by the Platters and the Five Satins all make their appearances, with the Cadets' magnificent "Stranded in the Jungle" providing the comic relief. The extras include commercials for the Detroit Times, Merchants Green Stamps and Faygo root beer, as well as another Four Lads appearance, singing a Ford commercial to the tune of their hit "Standing on the Corner," several WKMH station jingles, and sports headlines. ~ Stewart Mason

Product Details

Release Date:	03/31/1993
Label:	Increase Records
UPC:	0015668195623
Rank:	91423

Tracks

1. Robin Seymour Theme  -  Four Lads
2. Roll over Beethoven  - Chuck Berry
3. Eddie, My Love  - Aaron Collins  - Maxwell Davis  - Sam Ling  -  Teen Queens
4. Ooby Dooby  - Wade Moore  - Wayde Lee Moore  - Roy Orbison  - Alan Penner  - Dick Penner
5. Tonite, Tonite  -  Mello-Kings  - Billy Myles
6. The Great Pretender  -  Platters  - Buck Ram
7. Tutti Frutti  - Dorothy LaBostrie  -  Little Richard  - Joe Lubin
8. Stranded in the Jungle  -  Cadets  - James Johnson  - Ernestine Smith
9. Oh What a Night  -  Dells  - Johnny Funches  - Marvin Junior
10. In the Still of the Night  -  Five Satins  - Fred Parris
11. Blue Suede Shoes  - Carl Perkins

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Dells   Primary Artist
Roy Orbison   Primary Artist
The Teen Queens   Primary Artist
Chuck Berry   Primary Artist
Little Richard   Primary Artist
The Four Lads   Primary Artist
The Five Satins   Primary Artist
The Platters   Primary Artist
The Mello-Kings   Primary Artist
Carl Perkins   Primary Artist
The Cadets   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

The Dells   Performer
Fred Parris   Composer
Paul Williams Burch Jr.   Composer
Wayde Lee Moore   Composer
Dick Penner   Composer
Sam Ling   Composer
Maxwell Davis   Composer
The Mello-Kings   Performer
Buck Ram   Composer
The Cadets   Performer
Billy Myles   Composer
Joe Lubin   Composer
Carl Perkins   Composer,Performer
Dorothy LaBostrie   Composer
Ernestine Smith   Composer
Little Richard   Composer,Performer
Roy Orbison   Composer,Performer
Marvin Junior   Composer
Chuck Berry   Performer,Composer
The Four Lads   Performer
The Teen Queens   Performer
Alan Penner   Composer
Johnny Funches   Composer
Aaron Collins   Composer
Wade Moore   Composer
Jerry Hopkins   Liner Notes
The Platters   Performer
The Five Satins   Performer
James Johnson   Composer